Which World War II battle's losses enabled the Soviet Union to begin offensive operations on the eastern front?

Which World War II battle's losses enabled the Soviet Union to begin offensive operations on the eastern front?

• A. As a result of planes destroyed in the Battle of Britain, Germany lost air superiority over Europe.
• B. The British victory at El Alamein forced Germany to withdraw from positions throughout the Mediterranean region.
• C. During the Battle of the Bulge, many of the United States' most experienced and battle-tested army units were destroyed.
• D. German losses at Stalingrad enabled the Soviets to assume the offensive on the eastern front.

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that Stalingrad represents the turning point on the Eastern Front. German losses there were so heavy that the Wehrmacht could not quickly replace manpower and equipment, and their ability to sustain offensives in the east collapsed. With the destruction and encirclement of a large German force, the initiative shifted to the Soviet Union, allowing the Red Army to switch from a defensive posture to launching major offensives westward and northward across that front. This is what starts the Soviets on the offensive in the east; other events listed happened in different theaters (air battles over Britain, North Africa, and the Western Front) and do not enable Soviet offensives on the eastern front.

The main idea is that Stalingrad represents the turning point on the Eastern Front. German losses there were so heavy that the Wehrmacht could not quickly replace manpower and equipment, and their ability to sustain offensives in the east collapsed. With the destruction and encirclement of a large German force, the initiative shifted to the Soviet Union, allowing the Red Army to switch from a defensive posture to launching major offensives westward and northward across that front.

This is what starts the Soviets on the offensive in the east; other events listed happened in different theaters (air battles over Britain, North Africa, and the Western Front) and do not enable Soviet offensives on the eastern front.